Protect Your Electrical Appliances

Life on Koh Samui is relaxed and tropical—you don’t need heating, but staying cool and keeping food fresh in the heat is essential.

During peak season, the public electricity grid often becomes overloaded. To prevent a total blackout, the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) sometimes has to act quickly by deliberately lowering the voltage. This can cause dramatic drops—for example, from the normal 230V down to as low as 70V.

On the flip side, voltage can also spike unexpectedly to 260V or even 280V, depending on your location and the condition of the local high-voltage transformers.

This kind of instability is very different from the reliable, steady power most people are used to in Western countries. Many expats and homeowners don’t realize how much damage these fluctuations can cause.

Why is this a problem?

Some systems, like swimming pool pumps and chlorinators, often have built-in protection. But most household appliances—air conditioners, refrigerators, water pumps, TVs, and electronics—are not designed to handle these extreme swings.

Low voltage (brownouts) can often be tolerated for a short time—lights may stay on, but air conditioners or refrigerators stop working properly. However, repeated or prolonged low voltage can permanently damage older air conditioners, fridges, or water pumps.

High voltage (surges) is even more dangerous, though less common. Modern appliances rely on sensitive electronic components (like inverter boards in fridges and air conditioners). These parts are not built for sudden spikes and can fail instantly. Even everyday items like phone chargers can be affected. The photo below shows a water pump capacitor that was destroyed by a single surge.

In the worst cases, a surge can cause equipment to simply stop working—or, with very low-cost devices, even start a fire. Be especially careful with cheap phone chargers (under 200 THB); they can be risky even under normal conditions.

What can you do to protect your appliances?

Simple first steps

For anything you’re not actively using—phone chargers, laptops, TVs, etc.—the easiest and cheapest protection is to unplug them when you’re not home or when they’re fully charged.

This basic habit can save you from unnecessary repair or replacement costs.

For longer absences

When leaving the house for days or weeks, turn off the main circuit breaker or the breakers for major appliances like fridges and air conditioners.

For everyday peace of mind

Unplugging everything daily is inconvenient and impractical, especially for essential appliances you rely on 24/7 (fridges, freezers, air conditioning). The most effective and hassle-free solution is a whole-house voltage protection system that automatically safeguards all your appliances from both low and high voltage events.

We specialize in custom-designed protection solutions tailored to Koh Samui’s unique power conditions. Contact us today for a free consultation—we’ll assess your home’s needs and recommend the best system to keep your valuable appliances safe, extend their lifespan, and give you complete peace of mind.

Don’t wait for the next surge or brownout to cost you thousands in repairs or replacements. Reach out now and let us help protect your home!